Architecture And Archæology.

chancel stalls have bench ends , with carved fhiials . There are likewise galleries for children in the transepts . The communion steps are of Purbeck marble , and the space within is laid with Miuton's encaustic tiles , while the chancel is paved with production from the Poole Architectural Pottery Company . In the south wall of the chancel there is a two-light hooded window , supported in the centre by a

Purbeck marble column , and filled in with stained glass . On the opposite side there is an arched organ recess , which is tho earliest part of the church now extant . The now church at Offham , a hamlet of Hamsey parish , has been consecrated by the Bishop of Chicester . The old church is situate at a very inconvenient distance from that part of the parish in which the people reside ; and , after a

period of some 500 years , age is beginning to tell upon tho structure . The Shiffner family have contributed £ 1 , 700 towards the erection of the new edifice , as well as the site on which it is built . The church , which is 21 feet square inside , consists of a nave and south aisle , with a spheral tower above the nave and chancel . The nave and aisle of the church together form a square of 40 feet , besides a

transept of 18 feet ; the chancel 20 feet . The stylo of the building is Geometric Decorated , of simple character . The walls are built of flint work , ivith dressings of Sussex stone from Sovymes-hill quarry . It has a multangular apse , with five windows , single tracery lights , tho arches of the windows being supported by pillars of polished serpentine . The windows which are filled with stained lassbLavers and

g , y Barraud , were given by five of the late baronet's friends . The large west window of the church is to be shortly filled with painted glass by the Shiffner family , as a memorial to the late Sir Henry . The roofs of the nave and aisle are plastered white between ribs of timber . The ceiling of the apso is decorated in colour . The tower is surmounted by a

shingle-covered spire of the short proportion common in Sussex . Within the church the toiver is groined ivith ribs of stone ancl chalk fluting . The nave is divided from the aisle by an arcade of three arches supported on stone pillars . The walls of the church are decorated with texts . 'The flooring is of Staffordshire tiles ; those of the chancel from Stoke-upon-Trent , the space within the communion

railin g being paved with encaustic tiles . The pulpit is of oak , carved ancl panelled , supported on a stone base . The new church and schools at Newbury , Berks , have been opened . The church is built in the perpendicular style , and is intended to accommodate rather more than 500 persons . There are four windows on the south side , and six in the north aisle . Four arches extend the length of tho

nave , the roof of the nave and chancel have small arches of wood . An organ chamber on the south side of the chancel is lighted by a wheel window , filled in with quatrefoil tracery . On either side of the chancel arc oak seats for choristers . The nave and aisles are stained deal ; tho jralpit oak , with opened traced panels , and on a Portland stone base . At the east end of the church is a perpendicular

stainedglass window , representing the Saviour and the Evangelists ; the seven candlesticks underneath ; and in the centre above a representation of the Lamb . At the west end is a staincdjdass window , representing the Twelve Apostles and the Descending Dove . The font is of Caen stone , with Portland stone base , and oak coA cr , surmounted by a cross . The flooring is composed of Mintoii ' s tilesexcept that portion

, covered by the seats , which is of deal . The church will be heated with hot-water pipes . At the west end of the south side of the building , there is a porch , having a moulded stone arch , supported by pillars . The church is covered with green and red slates . The building is of brick , with Bath stone dressings . At the west end is a turret , 75 feet high , which contains two bells .

The little village of Clyst St . George , near Exeter , on the 19 th ult ., was the scene of much rejoicing on the occasion of the opening of the schoohrooms lately erected , with a teacher ' s residence , for tho accommodation of the school endowed there many years ago by Dame Hannah Seaward . The school buildings are of substantial linie-stone masonry , laid in irregular courses . The windows aro square-headed , with mullioiis of Combo Down Stone , as are the quoins ami dressings . The roofs arc high pitched , with gables and dormers ; the ivholc being covered with Bridgwater tiles , set

Architecture And Archæology.

in patterns , surmounted with a cresting . Octagonal stone chimnies , plainly ornamented , with a bell-turret of stono on one of the gables , give character to the whole . Within , tho walls are wholly of bricks , with black headers intermixed with white ; and appropriate texts of Scripture , formed with letters from Miuton ' s patent tile works . The roof , of oak and deal , is open to the ridge , affording ample ventilation ;

and the floors arc laid with wood . A class-room adjoins . On the outside a cloister of open-timber work ( set on a dwarf wall ) , paved with common Staffordshire tiles , affords a useful covered space , where the children can play in wet weather . The master ' s residence , which is annexed , though of the smallest authorised dimensions , is conveniently arranged , having a porch and entrance , a small parlour , kitchen , ancl

washhouse , with other offices , and three bed-rooms . Tho staircase is of stone , and the walls within aro of brick , whitewashed ; indeed , there is neither paint nor plastering , except in the parlour , throughout the premises .

The Freemason And His Hat.

THE FREEMASON AND HIS HAT .

A LAUGiiABMs incident happened in connexion with a recent gatherirg of " free and accepted Masons" at a famous border city , in olden times ' yclept " merrie , " but of whose exact whereabouts the inquisitive reader must hold us excused if ive forbear further indication .

The muster was a provincial one , and for weeks ere it took place the word ran that it was to be of uncommon splendour . In this part of the country at least , one of its chief attractions was that a redoubtable baronet , of great reputation , though of solitary , position in the state , whose eloquence had oft tickled the , ears of the groundlings before the hustings in the market-place , and elsewhere in St . Stephen's held

listening senators in awe , was expected , as Prov . G . M . to be the presiding genius , and , by virtue of his far seeing eye , sagacious head , and honied tongue , to unfold , as never had been unfolded before , the most recondite and ineffable nrystcries of the craft . At last caine the eventful day . Freemasonry has become fashionable in West Cumberland of late ; and our good town

itself was able to furnish a large deputation . Arrived at the city , they repaired to the appointed rendezvous , one of tho inns , and fraternised with the brethren of the city and other of the county towns . Amongst our Whitehaven friends was young Prov . ; and he , having a becoming sense of what was due to the fair ones in whose presence the Order was about to march hi procession to tho cathedral , and probably also—if he would

but avow it I—not unwistful of finding favour in their eyes , laid his hat beside others on a table in the room , turned to a mirror , and proceeded to tidy his neckcloth , and do up the ends of his hair a bit . This finished , ho turned to pick up his beaver , but , lo ! it had disappeared . Ho tried the others upon the table , lest , perchance , his eyes were deceived ; but no , —none would fit . A glance round tho apartment

failed to discover or account for the missing article . Here we must pause to say that , to the great disappointment of all the brotherhood , and chagrin of many , the Prov . Grand failed to appear ; and the leading duties of the day consequently devolved upon tho Deputy Provincial Grand , arospectableprofessionalgentleman from aneighbouring town . Now , he happened to form one of a group standing

close to the table upon which the hat had been placed . How it ivas that our friend cast a suspicious eye upon this gentleman and the hat he held ive cannot say , but cast it he did , — probably , because , being himself a first class maker of a first class light ( i . e . gas ) , as well as being initiated in the mysteries of Masonic " light , " he carries about with him , for aught wo know , a cunning compound of the two articles in shape of a secret magic lantern for tho discovery of all mysteries , earthly and imearthli-.

"Pray , Mr . Deputy Provincial Grand , have you seen aught of my hat ?" " Sir ! " said that hig h functionary . The question was repeated , of course politely . "No , Mr . Deputy Provincial Grand had not ' seen it . " Our friend turned away , and again looked about , but in vain . Ho returned to the charge . Mr . Deputy Provincial Grand emphatically begged to assure him that he had not